General advice for my file server

marcus2704 · 25 Sep 2007 at 13:03

Since my previous mobo died (P4 500mhz), I have rebuilt my server (Windows 2003) using components I had left over when I recently purchased a shuttle pc.

There isnt onboard graphics on the mobo, and currently Im using a 7800GTX with Zalman cooler. I dont really need this in my server, so am after a recommendation as to a very basic and low-cost card I could use in its place.

The other thing is that the PSU is again, I feel overkill. Its a 570W Tagan, I leave the server on constantly and so would like a lesser powered PSU which I would hope to be cheaper to run, but still be enough to support my CPU and 6+ hard drives. Would a 300W or thereabouts be sufficient?

Finally (!), Ive noticed that the performance, in particular the CPU, is frequently peaking on application use. I use remote desktop to the server a lot which creates additional load, but I was expecting the Athlon 64 X2 3500 performance to be better than my old P4 500Mhz?

Sp00n · 25 Sep 2007 at 13:22

You will struggle to power the x2 3500 + 6 hard drives on a 300 imo.

GRaphics wise you could pick anything under the sun, its irrelevant if you are going to be remote desktop'ing to it, i'd personally use VNC though.

"peaking on application use" what exactly is causing the peak and when is it happeneing (what is the server doing).

Mattitude · 26 Sep 2007 at 12:18

i have a server running with no graphics card, use remote access to the server thats what i do

Dave M · 26 Sep 2007 at 12:22

The 570W will use no more power than a 300W, infact it will use less because it's probably more efficient and not working anywhere near it's maximum output.

For the PSU to use 570W *all the time* would mean any power not being used by the PC would be turned to heat - can you feel 400W coming out of it? (hint - your CPU will output well below 100W).